Three Rochelle athletes participate in tournament at BMO Center

ROCKFORD — The Rochelle Wrestling Club sent three athletes to the IKWF State Championship at the BMO Center on Friday and Saturday. Eliud Lombardia, Benjamin Morris and Teddy Millard battled in the state tournament, with the wrestlers combining for three wins.

Lombardia competed in the 118 Senior Division after medaling in third at the IKWF Rochelle Sectional last weekend. Lombardia went 2-2 over four matches at the state tournament, notching an 11-7 decision over SOT-C’s Avery Crouch in the first round before falling against Scorpion Wrestling Club’s Cameron Engels in the second round of the championship bracket. 

Lombardia split two bouts during the consolation rounds, recording a fall over Blue Crew Wrestling Club’s Dakota Royer before conceding by injury default against Mustang Wrestling Club’s Eddie Astorga. Millard wrestled in the 64 Novice Division, finishing 0-2 after two hard-fought bouts against Vandalia Junior Wrestling Club’s Dayton Patterson and Olney Cubs Wrestling Club’s Makai Steele. Millard took first in his division during the sectional tournament.

Morris went 1-2 over three bouts in the 134 Novice Division, scoring a first-round fall over Maine Eagles Wrestling Club’s George Arvanitis before bowing out with losses against Peoria Razorbacks Wrestling Club’s Sean Martinez and Murphysboro Wrestling’s Jordan Myers. Morris recorded a second-place finish in his division during the sectional tournament at Rochelle.